D.—la.

(21) Underground Ventilation. Ventilation is to be subject to the requirements of the Mining Act as applicable to quartz and alluvial mining. (22) Accommodation. (a) Tent accommodation used as married quarters shall be erected and equipped in accordance with plan P.W.D. 91852: Provided, however, that such additional accommodation as may be necessary on account of the number or ages of the workman's children will be supplied and erected. (b) It is agreed, moreover, that generally accommodation for wives and families of workmen will not be provided on works that are estimated to last less than twelve months, or where married accommodation is undesirable either on account of isolation, lack of suitable camp sites, climate, or other circumstances. (c) Tents for single men or for married men whose families are not on the work are to be framed and floored, have a 5 ft. stud, timbered up 2 ft. with rusticating or overlapping boards, and provided with bunk, mattress, small table, and a chimney with fireplace. When cookhouses are provided on works two men will be required to share a tent, but on works where they have to cook for themselves each man will be provided with a separate tent as early as practicable. '(d) Tent accommodation, to be provided in accordance with the foregoing paragraphs, is to be the standard of accommodation for both married and single men, but on certain works, to be approved by the Minister of Public Works, huts may be provided. (e) Huts where provided for single men or for married men who are not accompanied by their families shall have air space approximately equal to that specified in the Shearer's Accommodation Act, and shall be lined (with timber wherever practicable), and equipped with bunk, mattress, small table, and fireplace. Two men will not be required to share one hut on works where cookhouses are not provided. (/) Any huts which may be provided for married men accompanied by their wives and families shall be constructed and equipped in accordance with the departmental standard design. (Plan P.W.D., 68799.) (g) The union shall be responsible for all unnecessary damage to tents, huts, or equipment caused by members of the union, and every other employee shall be personally responsible. (h) Upon huts becoming vacant they shall be cleansed and disinfected at the cost of the Department before again being inhabited; but if a hut is left in an unreasonably dirty or damaged condition the cost of renovations will be charged against the employee who vacated it. If a workman is allotted a hut, which he considers is not in proper order he shall call the overseer's attention thereto, and the question of his absence of liability to make good any damage shall be settled in advance. (i) Where reasonably possible, suitable bathing conveniences, with hot and cold water, as well as facilities for washing clothes, shall be provided for workmen occupying single men's accommodation. (j) On large works one earth closet, with door, seat, and urinal attached, shall be provided for every six huts or tents occupied by single men or married men whose wives and families are not on the works, but on small works other suitable conveniences shall be provided. The closets and urinals shall be regularly disinfected at the Department's expense. (23) Recreation Halls. (a) Recreation halls, including a room for use as a library, will be erected on such large works as the Minister may decide, and be equipped with tables, chairs, or other seating accommodation, &c. Management of the halls, including control of library, may be entrusted to a committe appointed by the workmen or to any organization on terms and conditions to be determined by the Minister in each case. (b) Where twenty or more men are emyloyed, a hut, 20 ft. by 10 ft., with fireplace, table, and seating-accommodation, may be provided as a meeting-house for use of all employees. (24) Cookhouses and Canteens. The Department will establish cookhouses, and also canteens for the sale of provisions, &c., to workmen, on such works as the Minister may determine. (25) Fuel. Where practicable, the Department will provide and deliver fuel required by workmen at cost price on works where it is not procurable from local dealers. (26) " Smoke-oh." If they wish, workmen shall be granted the privilege of stopping work for a period not exceeding ten minutes in the morning and again in the afternoon for the purpose of " smoke-oh." " Smoke-oh " on a work is to be taken at the same time every day by all of the workmen viz., two hours after commencing work in the morning and after resuming in the afternoon. Corresponding arrangements shall be made in respect of shift work.

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